Going wild for reading
CHILDREN and families can take part in a wild reading challenge this summer, courtesy of the Wild World Heroes.
The heroes are a bunch of cartoon characters who will be encouraging children and young people to keep reading over the holidays by becoming a Wild World Hero themselves – standing up for the future of the planet by joining in a celebration of reading, nature and action for the environment.
Organised by The Reading Agency and delivered by city libraries, this year’s challenge is also being backed by wildlife charity the WWF.
Wild World Heroes will feature books, rewards, and ideas for taking care of our environment.
Councillor Kirk Master, assistant city mayor for neighbourhood services, said: “The challenge is always very popular in Leicester and helps us to boost reading for enjoyment over the summer holidays.
“The Wild World Heroes theme is also a fantastic chance to build on the work of Leicester’s pioneering eco-schools team and helps us all to think about the small changes we can make to help our environment.”
The challenge started in Leicester on Saturday and you can join any time up until August 31, with the last day to complete it being September 11.
It’s open to children aged up to 15, although there is an adult challenge too – called Grown-ups Go Wild Reading.
To take part, drop into your local library – most reopened from Monday, June 21 – and collect your Wild World Heroes pack from there.
The pack includes a speciallydesigned envelope and a “zine” competition exclusive to Leicester, plus more information about the scheme, as well as a poster featuring a map of Wilderville, a place which you can make wilder and more wonderful by collecting stickers to add to it with each book you read.
Read any six books in total to complete the challenge, then collect your finisher’s medal and certificate from your library.
Participants can read books, e-books or listen to audio books to add up towards the challenge – they all count. It means people can join in the challenge using Leicester Libraries’ online service – or by reading physical books borrowed from your local library. As well as the 7,000 packs available free from libraries, a further 5,000 Wild World Heroes packs will also be delivered directly to families via the council’s partnerships with schools, food banks, adventure playgrounds, children’s centres, holiday playschemes and Leicester City of Sanctuary.
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CHALLENGE HAS SAVE THE PLANET THEME